Well for starters, I'm seriously considering moving out to the West Coast. Out of 4 series in the East, I correctly predicted just 1, and that was the relatively easy call of Buffalo over the Islanders. I had Atlanta in 7, they couldn't even win one. Pittsburgh making the Conference Finals, couldn't get past Ottawa. And Tampa Bay beating out New Jersey, they couldn't hold their lead. Fortunately I have Buffalo to win the East, so that can still happen. Out west, on the other hand, I was money. I picked all 4 series correctly, although Dallas gave me quite a scare.
* Atlanta was by far the biggest disappointment of the first round. While they play in possibly the weakest division in the league, they still posted solid regular-season numbers and had potent scorers in Ilya Kovalchuk, Slava Kozlov, and Marian Hossa, among others. Possibly the biggest predictor of how they'd fare came in the April 9th issue of Sports Illustrated, where Keith's ugly 3-11 postseason series record was brought to light. While a series win might have been a lot to ask, at least one win wasn't. Such a letdown.
* With the exception of Game 1's 5-4 Vancouver OT win, the Dallas-Vancouver series was the low-scoring affair everyone thought it would be. Luongo earned the series win, but you have to feel bad for Turco, who posted 3 shutouts yet was still unable to get 4 wins.
* The New York Islanders couldn't catch a break. First Chris Simon received a 25-game suspension for his two-handed slash to the chin of Ryan Hollweg. Then, potential defenseman Todd Simpson had a suspension from the German Ice Hockey League upheld in the NHL, preventing him from playing for the Islanders this postseason. And most recently, Sean Hill was suspended 20 games for violating the league's drug policy. Add to that goalie Rick DiPietro's injury problems and Alexei Yashin's playoff disappearing act, and its no wonder the Islanders didn't have a chance.
* Quick series winners can sometimes be put on the back burner of peoples' minds, which could make San Jose and Anaheim surprises of sorts in the second round. With the extra rest, look for them to come out flying.
* Through its first two rounds of the playoffs, Buffalo won't have to leave the state. In fact, their trips will seem pretty familiar. After taking down the Islanders, they will go right back down the Thruway to face off against the Rangers. The winner of this matchup will win the unofficial (and just made up by me) Empire State Cup as the best team in New York.
